Lykke-Per

I have to thank the profiling of Netflix, who offered me this superb film. A masterpiece of family psychology, very refined and credible in the description of the characters, it reminded me a lot of the French novel of the nineteenth century (Balzac and Stendhal). In fact, I absolutely did not know the author Henrik Pontoppidan from whom the story is based. Moreover, it is a cross-section of Danish history and civilization of which I have realized that I know very little. In fact, watching this film has suddenly made the entire production of Lars Von Trier more comprehensible to me.

A turn of the 19th century tale of a young man from a strict religious upbringing yearning to find himself while fighting his internal demons. Per Sidenius (Esben Smed) goes to Copenhagen as an engineering student with hopes of taking Denmark into the new century with plans to turn solar and wind into new energy sources. His personal conflicts cause strife professionally and romantically as he pushes those close to him away. Beautiful cinematography and with many fine performances make this a classic you won't forget.

There is more than one reason to see this capturing drama. I would however top the list of virtues praising a story and script that very convincingly shows how people's character drives success or failure sometimes in an inevitable way. One can not just overcome the weaving of childhoods upbringing especially the one uprooted by strong and authoritative parenthood. It doesn't matter the chances and great opportunities one gets if inside you there is an oxidative soul. This entertaining film is a hard look at the inheritance of family values and micro culture. A mind is also the family character within. In this movie there is also a marvelous love story that yearns to uplift and become long breathed and at the end of the movie there is a very contrasting light and dark eclipse of conclusive moments. There are so many emotions packed in its 2 hours. So much to learn about our human psychology.

I have not read the novel and had no expectations coming into this film. There are lots of very good things about this film to recommend giving it a viewing: the performances are solid, the costumes good, cinematography is often times quite beautiful, and the story itself is also quite interesting. The problem is that in trying to condense the novel into the limited time frame of the film much of the story is too condensed or omitted altogether, or so it seems. Yes, Per is a complicated, complex man with many inner struggles, which can be very difficult and in a way impossible to fully set to film. I do appreciate the attempt though, and think August is a great director, and despite some shortcomings I did enjoy Lykke-Per and can recommend giving it a go and see what you think.

An intricate examination of the relationships of a man-child with vision and genius coming out of a family which lacks both in a stratified society. Powerful emotions are conveyed through the main character's conflicted attempts to find belonging and the frustrated attempts of those attracted to him to bestow inclusion. The settings and cinematography are excellent. An extremely engrossing story with top notch performances. I noticed the soundtrack during my second viewing. One of the best I have heard. It deepens the experience of the characters and their situations. Mr. August has delivered a masterpiece.